This and That

Fall is fast approaching and things are starting to slow down a little in the garden. Jamie and I have accomplished so much in the garden this year it’s almost un-comprehendible. Yesterday afternoon I spent the greater part of four hours cutting grass and piddling around in the yard. When I was done, I sat back in a chair and looked over all of my hard work for the afternoon. As I was sitting there mentally rearranging and repositioning plants I was hit with such a huge sense of satisfaction with the way things are coming together. I had a good feeling all over about it. I tend to be my worst critic, so just two days earlier I was completely dissatisfied with the way everything looked. Right now, despite the chaotic cluster of plants in the huge patio bed, I can definitely say Jamie and I are heading in the right direction.

Since we are spending less of our energies planting around the house it has opened time for other projects. About two weeks ago Jamie and I spent the weekend building a trellis wall and three arbors. I’ve been itching to show them to you, but I don’t want to until the beds are cut out around them. And, to be completely honest, Jamie and I have not had the strength or energy to do it the past week. We’ve worked so hard EVERY single weekend since the beginning of March we just need a little break. So, we’ve been taking one and working on other projects that are less labor intensive. I do intend to work on the trellis beds and arbor beds this weekend, weather permitting.

There are several things that we’ve been neglecting lately around the house and it’s time to start taking that into consideration. One little project this past weekend was to re-do the sitting area outside the kitchen door. With all the work we had been doing in the garden, we didn’t even have a comfortable place to sit and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It was one of those things that we’ve been saying we were going to do, but never seemed to get around to it.

Jamie and I have an attraction to lions that has recently come to light. We realized we keep purchasing things and looking at items with lions on them. While helping Jimmy and Wade move this past weekend, Jimmy gave us the most wonderful bronze planter with lions on it. We just love it and I think its well worth the 25 cents Jimmy paid for it at the Salvation Army.

Right now we still have lots of things blooming in the garden, but only a few items that I haven’t previously posted in other entries. I’m sure everyone has seen the Purple Hyacinth Bean blooms before…

But, have you ever seen the White Hyacinth Bean blooms? This one is called Lablab purpureus 'Alba', also known as Dolichos lablab 'Alba'.

Jamie has wanted these Balloon Flowers for so long. He’s finally getting to enjoy his blooms. I do have to agree they are a very pretty color.

The ‘Tonto’ finally decided to show us what it has to contribute to our garden. All the Crepe Myrtles seem to bloom at different times, so that’s good. They slightly overlap each other.

Last but not least, I threw in this picture of the ‘Richard Wallace’ buds because I thought it was the prettiest yellow color I’ve seen in a long time.